Constitutional Carry Continues Advancing, and Other Great News for Gun Owners!

Much to be Thankful for This Thanksgiving

CNN and Harry Reid are Not Happy with GOA

GOA News

Petraeus Nomination on the Ropes

Petraeus is a poor pick

Anti-Gun Stupidity

The Race for Permitless Carry

Gun group says no to Petraeus

GOA Campaign Against Anti-Gun Petraeus Bearing Fruit

"Gun Owners of America, the leading no-compromise pro-gun rights organization in the nation, sent out an e-mail highlighting the former general's rabid anti-gun rights extremism.... But the pressure from GOA and other powerful organizations that backed Trump may have paid off, as the most recent reports indicate that the president-elect appears to have soured on Petraeus."

Petraeus poor pick for gun rights?

"David Petraeus is co-founder of Veterans for Common Sense to create this impression that veterans and military people think that there should be no Second Amendment rights in America – and that's a particularly insidious notion," Hammond asserted.

Anti-Gun Stupidity

Have you ever noticed that when lives are in danger the media responds differently based on the situation? The mainstream media responds quickly to anything that could help push the desired agenda...particularly the anti-Second Amendment agenda.

Texas, Indiana, South Dakota Race to Become 13th Permitless Carry State

Twelve states currently recognize permitless carry: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Vermont, Wyoming, and West Virginia. It should be noted that there are certain parts of Arkansas and Montana where a permit is required, but the vast portion of both states–99.4 percent, according to Gun Owners of America–is permitless

Gun group says no to Petraeus for Secretary of State

“As Secretary of State, Petraeus would play a key role in deciding whether to remove the U.S. from the UN Arms Trade Treaty,” reads a post from the Gun Owners of America. “This agreement would mandate gun registration, and would authorize comprehensive gun bans — all goals supported by Petraeus’ colleagues Kelly and Giffords.”

Look At Who Else Is Converting, Too

By Gun Owners Foundation

* Dr. Gary Kleck. A criminologist at Florida State University, Kleck began his research as a firm believer in gun control. But in a speech delivered to the National Research Council, he said while he was once "a believer in the 'anti-gun' thesis," he has now moved "beyond even the skeptic position." Dr. Kleck now says the evidence "indicates that general gun availability does not measurably increase rates of homicide, suicide, robbery, assault, rape, or burglary in the U.S."1

* James Wright. Formerly a gun control advocate, Wright received a grant from President Carter's Justice Department to study the effectiveness of gun control laws. To his surprise, he found that waiting periods, background checks, and all other gun control laws were not effective in reducing violent crime.2

Wright says at one time, "It seemed evident to me, we needed to mount a campaign to resolve the crisis of handgun proliferation." But he says, "I am now of the opinion that a compelling case for 'stricter gun control' cannot be made."3

* Every scholar who has "switched" has moved away from the anti-gun position. Dave Kopel, an expert in constitutional issues and firearms research, categorically states that, "Every scholar who has 'switched' has 'switched' to the side that is skeptical of controls. Indeed, most of the prominent academic voices who are gun control skeptics -- including law professor Sanford Levinson and criminologists Gary Kleck and James Wright -- are people who, when they began studying guns, were supporters of the gun control agenda."4

* Florida opponent of concealed carry admits the error of his ways: The state of Florida passed its concealed carry law in 1987 over vocal opposition from gun rights opponents. They claimed that once the state passed its carry law, the Sunshine State would become the Gunshine State, and that people would be shooting each other in the streets. It was a cute jingle, but it was totally false. FBI reports show that the homicide rate in Florida, which in 1987 was much higher than the national average, fell dramatically during its first 15-years in operation -- eventually putting the Florida rate below the national average.

Florida State Representative Ron Silver, who was the leading opponent of the law before it passed, graciously admitted several years later that he had been wrong. "There are lots of people, including myself," Rep. Silver said, "who thought things would be a lot worse as far as that particular situation [carry reform] is concerned. I'm happy to say they're not."5

* Texas cop becomes a convert: Texas passed a concealed carry law in 1995, and subsequently saw the state's murder rate drop 34 percent in the ensuing five years.

One of the chief opponents of the Texas law was Senior Cpl. Glenn White, who is president of the Dallas Police Association. White lobbied against the law in 1993 and 1995 because he thought it would lead to wholesale armed conflict. He admits, though, "All the horror stories I thought would come to pass didn't happen. No bogeyman. I think it's worked out well, and that says good things about the citizens who have permits. I'm a convert."6

Senior Cpl. White has joined the growing ranks of police officers who favor the right of citizens to carry firearms concealed. In a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Chiefs of Police, almost 70 percent of the officers polled agreed that "a national concealed handgun permit law [for private citizens] would reduce rates of violent crime."7

* Nationally syndicated columnist "sees the light." Mike Royko: "It pains me to say this, but the NRA seems to be right: The cities and states that have the toughest gun laws have the most murder and mayhem" (The Washington Times, September 13, 1993).

Self-Defense Corner

Two armed teenagers attempting to rob a man who was withdrawing money from an ATM in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, were taken to a hospital after the man pulled out his concealed carry handgun and shot them on Thanksgiving day.

Convenience Store Employee Stops Armed Robber In His Tracks

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OHIO — An armed, masked robber entered a convenience store at approximately 10:30 p.m. and pointed his gun at the employee working behind the counter. Thankfully, the employee had a gun of his own.

Grocery Store Clerk Shoots Suspect Allegedly Chasing Him with Machete

Man Jumped While Pumping Gas, Grabs Robber’s Gun Before Grabbing His Own

AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA — An armed robbery at the Circle K ended when the suspect was fatally shot at close range by the victim. This story takes a few turns and twists but ultimately, the victim was able to use his own gun to deliver the shots.